John Cage’s “Aleatory” Way: from Indeterminacy to Chaos

Abstract

Aleatory used by John Cage is caused by his taking a great interest in Zen Buddhism philosophy. The principle of com¬position allowing a chance element in the music creating and performing, Cage called indeterminacy. He followed this principle throughout his career up to creation of essentially unorganized and disorderly works of art without the determined text and form — which are to be spontaneously developing during fluid and unpredictable process of chaotic life. Chance, as Cage believed, identifies the author and the performer with everything whatever happened — he saw a true sense of music in it.

As a supplement —
Two textes by John Cage: